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Speech by Prof. John Struthers Chancellor

 SPEECH  BY PROF. JOHN STRUTHERS CHANCELLOR

 DURING THE MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY 27^TH GRADUATION CEREMONY

 GRADUATION THEME: CATALYZING INNOVATION: UNIVERSITIES AS DRIVERS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 ON FRIDAY 8^TH AUGUST, 2025

 AT MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY HAPPY VALLEY GROUNDS, THIKA

• Salutation
• Chancellor Designate, Mount Kigali University Rwanda, Prof. Egara Kabaji,
• The Guest Speaker, Tonny Omwansa, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA)
• Archbishop Anthony Muheria, Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nyeri,
• Members of the University Board of Directors,
• Chairman, Mount Kenya University Council, Dr. Vincent Gaitho,
• Members of the Mount Kenya University Council,
• Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi,
• Vice-Chancellor, Mount Kigali University, Rwanda, Dr. Martin Kimemia,
• Vice-Chancellors and Representatives present,
• Members of University Management Board and Senate,
• Your Excellencies,
• Distinguished Guests,
• Mount Kenya University Staff,
• Parents and Guardians,
• Graduands and Students,
• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning!!

• Preliminaries

It gives me a lot of joy to once more join the Mount Kenya Fraternity during this auspicious occasion on the 27^th Graduation Ceremony. I convey the warm greetings from the University of the West of Scotland, the Glasgow community, and my family as I also join others in congratulating the graduating students, their parents/guardians, their professors and University Management for this very noteworthy achievement.

• Mount Kenya University as a Progressive Institution of International Reputation

For the seven years that I have served as the Chancellor at MKU, I have witnessed a steady and remarkable growth of the University and today’s graduation ceremony confirms my vision of a very promising future for this University. The number of students graduating today, as well as many outstanding reports on MKU’s engagement at local and global levels as presented to us this morning, are also further testimonies to attest to that vision.

I also note the relevance of the theme of today’s graduation ceremony. It resonates very well with the Vision and Mission of MKU and also with the current experiences across the world where innovation and Artificial Intelligence have become twin areas of discussion in all realms of life.

• Congratulations to Mount Kenya University for Impact-Driven Partnerships

Allow me to acknowledge and appreciate the new partnership engagements at the University in the course of the year. Top on the list is the competitively-obtained new status of MKU’s United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) position as the UNAI SDG 9 Hub Chair on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure for a three-year period that shall end in 2027. This position brings together other universities that serve as the Vice-Chairs to this Hub; two of which are LaSalle University of Spain and Japan’s Nagaoka University of Technology. Notably, this position has raised the University’s visibility globally as evidenced by MKU’s physical representation at the Global Higher Education Symposium at the UN Headquarters in New York City in July 2025 in the privileged discussion on Higher Education Institutions’ role in support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I do congratulate the University fraternity for this achievement.

Other partnerships with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch) and the International Law Institute – South African Centre for Excellence on alternative dispute resolution and investment arbitration; Marwadi University of India on ICT support; the National University of Science and Technology, International Maritime College Oman, Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy among others have added value to MKU’s programmes in diverse ways.

5.0 Chancellor's Alumni Award

 In recognition of MKU’s alumni network, and in acknowledgement of the pivotal role the body plays in elevating the society, the University is honoured to announce the establishment of the  Chancellor's Annual Alumni Award worthy 5 million Kenya Shillings (Ksh 5 Million). The Award will competitively seek to identify individuals who have made remarkable contributions to humanity after graduation and honour them. These are individuals who have excelled in areas pertinent to, but not limited to, climate change mitigation, technology and innovation, job creation, peace and conflict resolution among others. The inaugural award will be presented  during the December 2025 Graduation Ceremony. Details on Nomination Criteria will be released in due course.

I wish to congratulate Mount Kenya University for this outstanding  achievement. To all the Alumni of Mount Kenya University, I invite you to take up the challenge and strive to make a difference as you render your service to the community for that would be recognized and lead you to the award.

• A Word of Counsel to the Graduands

Before I conclude, allow me to share a word of counsel with the graduands. We welcome you to the world of work. You have adequately been trained for employment and total contribution to your communities’ development.

Therefore, today as you celebrate your success with your families, remember to thank God and of course your families for their continued support during your university studies in order to reach this important milestone, on this auspicious day- the 8^th of August 2025 - the day of your graduation.

As you graduate, given the rapid changes in technology today, we urge you to remain engaged with your Alma Mater for further training and postgraduate career support. Life-long education has become a compulsory engagement today more than ever-before. Aspire to advance your training to remain relevant in the changing times.

I wish you success and prosperity in your lives.

To everyone, Asanteni Sana.

Prof. John Struthers

CHANCELLOR

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY